Candili Retreat with Alessandro Ortona & Anastasia Biliri

Be here... in the unknown and subtle home.

In what exists now, with no expectation.
In what is not 'a step on the way to something else'...
In that which has no word, and no thought, no time, or place, or form.
It doesn't come from somewhere and doesn't go anywhere.
The mind will look at you in surprise ("how dare something be wider than the mind?"), but another part of you will be grateful... 

The feeling from the retreat that took part this year in Candili with Alessandro Ortona and Anastasia Biliri is hard to put into words. But it clearly reminded us of what the saying "Sangha Shakti Kali Yuga". That is, how strength in our time (when any true spiritual practice often feels like swimming against the current) comes not only from our personal effort but also from the energy and quality of the community that surrounds us.  It reminded us how important it is to support, care for and uplift each other. We often navigate the world trying to present our most perfect selves, forgetting that what ultimately connects us is our pain, our vulnerability and our shared need for real warmth, love and happiness...

Three women travelling saw a large pit on the road and discovered that happiness was trapped inside.

And then the first woman said:
- Happiness, I want you to make me beautiful.
Immediately she was transformed into a beautiful creature and happily left.
The second woman said:
- Happiness, I want you to make me rich.
Immediately a bag full of gold and diamonds appeared in front of her, the woman grabbed it and happily left.
Only the third woman said nothing, and then Happiness said to her from the pit:
- Tell me, what do you want me to give you?
And then the woman bent down, stretched out her hand and said:
- "Give me your hand! 
And she took Happiness out of the pit.
Then she went on her way.
Happiness smiled, and followed her...